"I've got a vast amount of respect for David and what he's done for the bid process and bringing the Olympics here," said Pearce.

"But I've also got a duty of care to everybody within the squad to pick, in my mind, the best possible squad. The only relevance I really have is footballing terms.

"I know he had a real burning passion to be part of this squad (but) I don't think there's a manager around who picks on sentiment."

Pearce said no pressure was ever put on him to include the 37-year-old former England captain.

"I have to be comfortable when I get into my bed at night I've made decisions that are solely on footballing grounds," said the former Nottingham Forest and England defender.

"Nothing else. Not on personality, not on who I like as individuals. David would feature very, very highly on individuals I like."

Pearce ruled out a coaching role for Beckham at the Olympics but the British team's chef de mission Andy Hunt said the former Manchester United player had already been approached about being involved in another unspecified capacity.

"We would be delighted and honoured to have David involved in some way. That would be fantastic," said Hunt.

Britain open their Olympic campaign against Senegal at United's Old Trafford stadium on July 26.